Unique Pacific surveillance model would benefit other oceans

05:01 am on 5 June 2017

The Forum Fisheries Agency says it believes the multi-country, multi-agency co-operation involved  in surveillance of Pacific fisheries is unique and is a model the rest of the world can learn from.

The FFA and its partners have just completed operation Tui Moana in Polynesia, the second of their four annual regional surveillance operations.

They involve the FFA's 17 Pacific Island member countries with aerial surveillance support from the United States, France, New Zealand and Australia.    

The deputy director general of the FFA, Wez Norris,says the unique open partnership has resulted in a reduction in illegal fishing activities in the Pacific and the FFA will be showcasing it next week at the Oceans Conference in New York.

He spoke to Koroi Hawkins who began by asking him about the recent operation Tui Moana which saw not a single rogue fishing vessel spotted in Polynesia.

Listen

The entire Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre team for TUI MOANA includes members from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Palau, Papua-New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, the United States and Vanuatu. Photo: Supplied/ FFA